In Conversation with Alison Walker: Celebrating over 40 years in Occupational Therapy

Alison, you’ve had a remarkable career in occupational therapy. Can you share a bit about your journey and what drew you to the profession?

I qualified at Cardiff OT School over 40 years ago, and from the start, I’ve been driven by a passion to help people live as independently as possible. My career has taken me through the NHS, Adult Social Care, and even teaching at St Loye’s School of Occupational Therapy. Each role has deepened my appreciation for the versatility and impact of occupational therapy.

What has your role at Millbrook Healthcare involved, and what keeps you excited about your work?

I’ve been with Millbrook for over 10 years, and it’s been a truly rewarding chapter of my career. I work across a range of services—delivering home adaptations through both Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and self-funded routes, providing the Independent Living Centre Service in Dorchester, and managing the Sight and Hearing service on behalf of Dorset Council. What I love most is the freedom I have to be creative and develop personalised solutions that make a real difference to people’s lives.

You’re a regular attendee at the OT Show. What brings you back year after year?

For me, the OT Show is a fantastic opportunity to stay on top of new products and services, network with suppliers, and attend CPD sessions that keep my practice fresh. It’s such a vibrant and inspiring space – it never fails to re-energise my passion for occupational therapy.

This year you’ll be on the Millbrook Healthcare stand – what can visitors expect when they stop by?

I’m genuinely delighted to be on the stand this year. We’ll be there to have open conversations about the personalised and integrated solutions Millbrook offers to support safe, independent living. It’s a great chance to explore how we work, share experiences, and discuss the kind of support we can provide across our services.

Millbrook Healthcare is known for empowering its teams – how has this shaped your experience as an OT within the organisation?

It’s honestly one of the things I value most. Millbrook encourages OTs to think outside the box – we’re trusted to bring forward new ideas, explore different service models, and tailor interventions that work best for individuals. That level of autonomy and support is rare, and it’s what makes Millbrook such a dynamic place to work.

What innovations in the OT space are exciting you most right now?

There’s so much happening with technology-enabled care and smart home adaptations – it’s a really exciting time. These innovations are opening up new possibilities for people to manage their health and live more independently, which aligns so closely with our ethos at Millbrook.

Finally, what would you say to fellow OTs who are thinking about attending the OT Show this year?

Come along! Whether you’re newly qualified or have years of experience, it’s a brilliant place to share knowledge, spark new ideas, and connect with like-minded professionals. And of course, I’d love to welcome you to the Millbrook stand – we care deeply about the work we do and love to talk all things OT.